Pesach just ended and we enjoyed a terrific holiday. When the chag first began, I was a bit apprehensive about our time. While many people pack up and head to hotels for the entire chag, we would be staying put, as always. We certainly don’t have the money to enjoy an expensive get away –… Read More Staying Put for Pesach

It’s hard to imagine. 10 years ago this week, we were on a flight to Israel to visit our dear friends and to show solidarity during a very difficult time. I had not considered Aliyah in our near future. In fact, I tried to get off of the plane during take-off. Flash back ten years… Read More A Decade to Reflect

It’s the day before Pesach (Passover) and we are all crazy busy trying to get ready. And, as usually happens right before the chag, there is no food in the house. Well, none that we can really eat at the moment. So, when I came home from work today, we gathered the kids into the… Read More Lessons Learned at the Bakery

On March 7, 2008, Neve Daniel woke up to an SMS on our cell phones. When I read the Hebrew message, it simply didn’t make any sense and I assumed that my issue was with my poor Hebrew. It was not. The message stated that the funeral would take place that afternoon for Segev Avichayil… Read More Cucumbers, Memories and Pain

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? I certainly do. I can tell you ever moment of that day and the next. Do you remember where you were on: January 1, 2001 when car bomb exploded in Netanya? Or on February 8, 2001 when a car bomb exploded in Jerusalem? Or on… Read More The List Continues….

There is simply no better day each year than Purim – and there is nowhere in the world like it in Israel. It is hard to convey what Purim is like here to someone who hasn’t experienced it, but I’m going to give it my best effort. I think Purim may be one of the… Read More Hands-Down, the Best Day of the Year

Since last Saturday night, when I heard about the Fogel massacre, I have found myself living two lives. My children are getting ready for Purim; they are excited and full of anticipation. We laugh, we bake, we put together costumes and we prepare for the big day. Each afternoon, when I arrive at Gan (nursery… Read More It’s Simply What We Do

I am Ruth Fogel. With breasts full of milk, I sat down to nurse my newborn baby on Friday night. The beautiful candles were aglow, the house was clean, and the fresh smell of challah wafted through the house. My oldest asked to join his friends for the traditional Bnei Akiva festivities in preparation for… Read More I am Ruth Fogel…

It’s a dreary, stay-in-your-pajamas-under-the-covers, type of Friday here in Neve Daniel. When we finally got all five older boys bundled, scarved, and out the door with lunches in hand, it was time for me to start the clean-up routine. Since there’s no work on Friday, I’m able to stay in my pajamas a bit longer… Read More Dancing on a Friday Morning